Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Canaan Gregory Swift, 23 years old, formerly of the 1000 block of Riviera Drive was sentenced today by Circuit Court Judge Frucci for Malicious Wounding (2 counts), Robbery of a Residence with a Gun and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony. Judge Frucci sentenced Swift to 12 years in prison which exceeds the high-end of the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines recommendation.

Swift pled guilty on May 2, 2017. Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth's evidence would have proven that on December 16, 2016, Swift texted the victim to inquire about buying marijuana. When Swift arrived at the apartment, the victim and his friend were present. All three smoked marijuana and spent some time talking. When Swift got up to leave, he pulled a black handgun from his pants and pointed it at both men. Swift asked the victim where he kept his rifle and the victim stated he had sold it. Swift then had both men move from the couch onto their knees. Swift proceeded to stab both men in the back with a two-pronged knife, stabbing one of the men twice. Swift then grabbed the victim's Xbox video game system and fled the apartment. Both victims required surgery for their wounds and were in the hospital for several days.